Blackcurrants and Cassis in Île d'Orléans, Quebec

Who loves blackcurrants and Cassis?? 

Cassis Monna & Filles

But first, I can't think of a better red and white food to celebrate Day with my family than with lobster #lobsterroll and being here in beautiful Île d'Orléans, Quebec.

Chez Mag

Our start-of-summer-holiday family trip to Montreal then Île d'Orléans (a serene and picturesque island in the St Lawrence River located 20 minutes downstream from Old Quebec City) is known for its blackcurrant (cassis) production, particularly by Cassis Monna & Filles. The island's ideal microclimate has this family-run business churning out incredible blackcurrant-based products, including spirits, wines, and gourmet items since 1992: Award-winning crème de cassis- a sweet, dark red liqueur, gin and vodka and blackcurrant wines such as their dry wine and a dessert wine.

Other products entice such as jams, syrups, vinegars, mustards, teas and various gourmet treats such as enrobed black currant chocolate, meringues and artisanal marshmallows.

Cassis Monna & Filles is also known for its artisanal dairy bar, offering black currant-vanilla soft-serve ice cream.

Absolutely delicious!

We loved visiting their cassis production plant and learning about the history of how these berries originated in France and how their delicious and nutritious content in refined products became popular the world over. 

Known in Quebec as gadelle noire, the black currant is a fragrant, tart and sweet purplish-black berry with a long history of both culinary and medicinal use. Brought to the Americas by the first European settlers, it was prized for its healing properties even then. Today, it's celebrated not only for its bold flavour but also for its health benefits- rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, polyphenols, and anti-inflammatory compounds that help boost the immune system and support eye health.

Cassis, also known as blackcurrant liqueur, originated in France, specifically in the Burgundy region. The modern liqueur we know as crème de cassis was first produced in Dijon in the 19th century (1840s), though blackcurrants had been used in medicinal and culinary applications in Europe long before that. A famous use is in the Kir cocktail (cassis + white wine), named after Félix Kir, a mayor of Dijon.

Monna & Filles story began in 1872 when Louis Monna founded the eponymous maison Louis Monna, which specialized in the distillery of fine wines and spirits in l'Hérault, France. His son in 1925 Émile Monna, sails for Quebec where he teaches his children all that he knows - among them Bernard, founder of Cassis Monna & Filles. Today, it is the 5th generation of the Monna family - sisters Catherine and Anne - who stand at the helm of their family business.

At Cassis Monna & Filles, several hardy varieties thrive in Quebec’s climate, including Titania and Ben Lomond. These cultivars are known for their intense aroma, juicy texture, and resistance to disease. Perfectly adapted to the province's cold winters, the berries are harvested in early August at peak ripeness, bursting with flavour and vitality.

A popular phrase "you have currant eyes" is a figurative expression referring to the dark purple, almost black colour of black currants, which is similar to the colour of some people's eyes which also has symbolic meaning, such as resilience or quiet strength.

My childhood memories of Ribena blackcurrant syrup mixed in water, blackcurrant pastel gummies coated in sugar and Asian blackcurrant boxed drinks forever etched and that deep tart and sweet grapey flavour has me yearning for more... 

Île d'Orléans is also known for their acres and acres of pick-your-own strawberries, and of course when in anywhere in Quebec, picking up pate, mousse and foie gras are a must and a chocolate or two!

Next time you are in Quebec, plan a visit to Île d'Orléans, located in the St. Lawrence River 5 km east of Quebec City, a historic and picturesque island known as the "cradle of French civilization in North America" connected by the Île d'Orléans Bridge. 

Stunning and Serene- a must for nature and countryside enthusiasts!

Taste of Thailand Part Two: Enchanting Chanthaburi

 

Enchanting 🔮💫 Chanthaburi 🇹🇭 is the best word to describe this picturesque historic riverside town on the eastern coast of Thailand, bordering Cambodia. Of the Thai regions we've been to so far, it is here for me, that resonates profoundly and the reason to return 💓 #preservingthepast #oldworldcharm 

So absolutely picturesque 😍

Located 2-1/2 hours southeast Bangkok, we just extended our stay in Baan Luang Rajamaitri, the 150-year old Historic Inn perched on the Bank of Chantabun river amongst the waterfront community. The inn boasts an ancient architectural structure with British colonial styled guestrooms charmed with the original lifestyle of the locals in this historic neighborhood with well-preserved traditional Thai houses, cafes and restaurants.  

Amazing congee plus extras breakfast every morning

Extraordinary daily desserts and kumquat juice

Chanthaburi is called "Orchard of Thailand" renowned for its diverse tropical fruits, particularly durian 😍 and gemstone industry- it is the centre for gemstone mining and trading, especially rubies and sapphires. 

Golden pomegranates

It is also home to the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception- the largest church in Thailand for Christians beaming through over 40,000 Buddhist temples. 

Oh how we love thee 💓... All of us, loves all of you, all your curves and all your edges, all your perfect imperfections--  Yes, durian is such a star, it should have its own love song 🎵🎶! 

The durian is Southeast Asia's most highly prized fruit-- the King, and the most controversial because of its overpowering odour. In Thailand, Chanthaburi is the main production, and it is said there are about 100 types. We had a splendid experience in a nearby shop across our stay learning about and trying the different types of durian sold in baskets, which their men had recently cut and discovering salak- an Indonesian palm fruit (aka snake fruit)- juicy, flavour reminiscent of jackfruit.

Have you tried Indonesian palm fruit salak?

Monthong is Thailand's most popular export and the one we enjoy in Toronto (bought whole frozen, eaten thawed). I got to try their Musang King and Kan Yao- which is $ but preferred by Thais for its creaminess and balanced sweetness. Both the flesh and seed (after boiling) can be consumed. Those who love it, are lifelong aficionados... those who don't, loathe it with a ten-foot pole. No food out there have I heard such extreme polarizing reactions-- some merely can't get pass the smell let alone attempt to eat it. I've heard people describe the odour as sweet floral fragrance 👋 and luscious fine wine and cheese to the complete opposite such as sewage socks, horse manure, rotten onions etc., 

From small to jumbo... I wanted them all 😍

This last weekend in Bangkok, Siam Paragon Tropical Fruit Parade is back, with the star of the show-  the legendary Durian Buffet. For $35 Cdn, and 60 minutes, you can enjoy an all-you-can-eat experience featuring Monthong, Puangmanee, and Chanee Kai, as well as rare finds like Musang King and Black Thorn. Outside the buffet tent, 40+ rare durian varieties from orchards across the country are ripe for the tasting 🤤.

There are also creative durian dishes like durian lasagna, pizza and French fries. On my trip, I've had warmed durian sticky rice with coconut milk, durian chips and toffee candy. But the best is fresh 😋

Durian chips taste like sweet potato after fried

We relish in these durian moments, because they bring us together, transports us to heaven and lets us stay in bliss with each other for a while... Yes my twins are durian lovers!

Chanthaburi... "Where you can check-in back into the past... that travels to present" 

We were in bustling Bangkok the last leg of our Thai trip... Stay Tuned next post.